Ry has a birthday coming up (well actually it's long past but the party has yet to happen...we are waiting for the perfect summer day) and I have fabric scraps that would make a very fun bunting...this definitely is something I want in my party decorations basket to use forever and ever.

Love this idea for back yard gatherings ...no disposable water bottles allowed here of course, BUT it would be great for beer and other beverages too.

This is not my actual garden but we do have pea gravel paths lined with river rocks. The abundant spring rain and sudden summer weather has quickly transformed them into weed paradise and i can't keep up hand pulling them. So, I have several vinegar based natural weed killer recipes I have pinned to try out this year. Vinegar is cheap and works so I am going for it.

Now a couple projects for inside....I have lots of little vases and bottles and a big bottle of lemongrass essential oil on order so I will be making some of these diffusers to make the house smell fresh and light during the hot days of summer. It's so easy and inexpensive and real essential oils won't make you queasy like chemical laden store bought fragrances.

I adore the look of succulent plants and my chicks and hens are having babies at an astounding rate in my front garden. I have several glass cylinders sitting empty that are just begging to be made into terrariums. I think this will be a perfect project for me to do with the boys on summer holidays. We can use up stuff on hand and have a lovely centerpiece of three terrariums to admire.

What a perfect excuse to explore the woods and creek for some moss and pretty rocks to use as well.

There are so many fun little projects you can find on Pinterest...try to find things that don't involve buying stuff...use your imagination and find supplies to re-use and use up from your own cupboards and hidden stashes.

February 15, 2013

Hope you had a sweet Valentine's day whatever you did. We had a quiet night at home.

I just finished mine with a very long bath with a Sunny Side bubble bath bar from Lush. I found it tucked away with my sweaters. My friend Carmen always spoils me with such luxuries and it was a pleasant surprise to find one I forgot.

It's so pretty and leaves you silky smooth and smelling great. I was a little leary about the sparkly gold ring left when you drain the tub but it was easy to clean off.

This year I let the boys decorate a bit and it was very interesting...

Yes...PSY from Gangnam Style was the focal point. Ryan also made hearts and we hung lots of the little creations they made over the years. Liam's hockey team's theme song is Gangnam so we just went with it. It makes me laugh.

My decorating project with Ryan was the light over the table...

Not very ambitious but it sort of worked for this year and Ryan thought it was brilliant.

As for projects inspired by Pinterest, last week I did this little craft with the kindies...

Yes it's sort of ridiculous but they were ever so proud wearing their Valentine party pins today and it was easy for them to make. Two layers large cupcake liners, one small liner and a punched paper center. The ribbon is leftovers I had from Christmas and I finished the back with a pin for them with hot glue. Everything else they did with their buddy class helpers. They reminded me of the ribbons we got in horse shows when I was younger. I mentioned that to the boys and they didn't know/forgot I rode. I need to get those boys on horses soon...or at least dig up some of my stuff to show them.

Oh dear...it's so embarrassing when your Mom makes you stand with pretty girls for photographs!

Okay, brace yourself for cuteness...

Sweet little children...these are their sweet faces as requested by moi. Now the fun begins...

When you ask for silly faces five year olds really know how to work it!

Love them....almost makes me wish I had followed through with concurrent education at Queens...until it's time to do writing and there are twenty little needy minds trying to write sentences although they don't know how to spell. Twenty adorable little mouths making letter sounds and attempting words at the same time. Twenty little hands waving to get our attention and help. It was amazing and hilarious and utterly exhausting to contemplate doing for a six hours , I don't think I'd have it in me everyday with three of my own at home. But I am happy to go and help Ms. Mann with this crew any day.

February 01, 2013

Step away from the pre-cut fun foam folks and expensive craft isles at your local store, there is hot new trend in crafting that involves using three R's...

reworked, recycled & reclaimed.

Projects made with these items have instant character, a bit of history helps add depth to any creation.

If you follow me on Pinterest you have seen that I've been diligently working on my Valentine's Day love.... board. 802 pins later and I'm still slighly obsessed with finding ideas or images I have yet to explore. My hubbie has never been one to make a big deal of the day but I ADORE celebrating with kiddos and Ryan's kindergarten year deserves a big effort. Kindie Valentine's Day preparations and parties are the sweetest. Last week we started with a small printmaking activity called Hearts on Heartstrings.

Next week I hope to go in for more art days as well. Today for Eco-Friday I wanted to share some easy ideas that reflect the three R's that we've either tried or will try this year.

Love these fun arrows...use up bits of scrap felt or even fleece from worn out clothing or felt an old or damaged sweater. Collecting sticks is a grand excuse to take a snowy forest walk too.

Pluck four juice bottles or any nice bottles out of your recycling bin and you have the makings of a pretty centerpiece. If you don't have burlap to stencil on you could use any fabric or paper scraps that appeal to you. At your local Italian grocers or coffee bar you can find little fruit nectars in the sweetest little bottles...the labels wash off easily and they are ideal for projects like this.

Old keyboards are plentiful at your local Sally Anne or thrift shop. Pluck off some keys and make your own message to give a loved one. I also have a frame where the who frame is covered with old keys and it's always a conversation piece. I bet you even have a frame kicking around you can use. Pop out the old image or cover with printed paper and you are ready to go.

We've made many version of these bottle caps over the years. You can get the sealer at any craft supply place, collect some caps, add images or little decorations and seal. They make cute pins to give our or glue tacks on the back for a bulletin board.

We have a big bag of fleece pieces left from the boys feltie making phase so I am going to make some of these little heart hand warmers for sure. Filled with rice they can keep hands warm in mittens for up to an hour.

Another thing I want to make is little snowglobes. My vision is quite a bit different than this version but the general instructions will be the same.

All of these projects and mounds more are pictured and explained on my Valentine's Day love... pin board. I promise there will be many a thing you can create with things you already have tucked away somewhere in your home. Missing something? Ask a friend, give a little Facebook shout out...someone is bound to have just what you need they would be happy to pass on.

Use your imagination, challenge your kiddos to do the same. Mother Earth will thank you and you will have treasures to admire year after year.

This past Thursday I had the opportunity to do art with Ry's kindie class. A Pinterest idea inspired me but I changed it a bit. I made it a lesson on printmaking and I called it: Hearts on Heartstrings.

I love re-using things for kiddo art and for this project you need some toilet paper tubes.

Squish a roll into a heart shape using your fingers as a guide for the curves. I then took a small strip of tape and put it over the top so it held it's form. I had to make a class set of these babies.

We buy omega 3 eggs that come in plastic packaging that's totally frustrating but they do make swell paint trays, both the indented sections and the flat sections. For printmaking you want a flat surface for the paints.

As you can see we also used cotton swabs. As the tubes and the swabs both had two sides to print from I gave the kiddos two colours of paint.

They started by printing their heartstrings by dipping the cotton swabs in paint and dotting them across the page. Some of them dotted less stringy and more randomly but it wasn't important.

Afterwards I gave them the heart tube stampers and they added hearts galore...the more the merrier.

As the cardboard absorbed the paint they made better and better prints. Ry and his buddies didn't use much pink...mostly red as you can see but they still turned out pretty. You could print large sheets of kraft paper this way to make really adorable wrapping paper to be used year round for birthdays, weddings and even Christmas.

Of course during the lesson I was flying around giving 22 kiddos paint and tips and trying to keep them from painting themselves and their table mates so I didn't manage to get a single shot of their art making sweetness but trust me it was cute stuff.

Snickerdoodles always hosts a blog button to the Land of Nod page on the left sidebar. Take the link and be prepared to swoon over all their colourful, creative, timeless offerings. Holiday decor is on sale now and there are tons of great gift ideas that can be shipped in time for the big day.

July 06, 2012

What parent doesn't crave an hour of time to catch up on some work or maybe even pick up a book and read?

This craft we call "Moon Painting" is just what you need to open up that hour of freedom. It kept Ryan busy for well over an hour the first time and at least an hour the other two times I put it out for him. Not only is it entertaining, it's easy and eco-friendly. When they are done creating their masterpieces, the mixture can be used to clean out and polish your kitchen sinks or anywhere else needs a little scrub that won't be affected by a bit of food colouring.

All you need is a bar pan, a re-used dropper from essential oils or used up medicine, baking soda, food colouring and vinegar.

Mix up small amounts of food colouring with a splash of white vinegar in pretty hues

Spread an even layer of baking soda across the pan

Have your kiddo suck up the magic moon paint with the dropper and squirt it into the baking soda, it will fizz up and then soak in slightly. There is no right or wrong way to paint the moon and this little activity will surely bring about big smiles and lots of giggles.

June 16, 2012

Every week I welcome a bunch of tweens & teens into my studio and try my darnest to get them thinking and working creatively. As much as I can, I try to use found objects in a unique way. You will never find pre-cut fun foam shapes in my abode! When you go through your house gather bits of fabrics, papers, old containers, bottles and such and keep them in a basket. Give your kids a glue gun...it's amazing what you can re-use and make into lovely things.

As much as they frustrate me sometimes with their teenage ways, I am so proud of my art kiddos and grateful for the fun and energy they share with me. Just thought I'd show off a couple of our latest little projects, the kids have been wanting to keep it light and crafty so these are easy projects for most any age.

For Mother's Day we made beaded chimes. Beading is such a Zen thing to do, but it can be expensive when you are using semi-precious stones, good glass beads and wood beads. I am always on the look out at thrift stores or when travelling for not so nice necklaces made with pretty beads...a quick snip and dump in the bead box is so exciting and easy on the pocketbook. Also think outside the box, gather seashells from trips, jingle bells, bits of sea glass or even an old key or charm....these are the things that will give your work depth.

Here are a couple finished pieces. I bought dainty silver bangles and heavier wooden ones for them to string their beaded chains from. Levelling them is the trickiest part.

Sheesh, don't look at all the cobwebs on my light. My studio is generally the last place I get to when cleaning as we basically trash it every week! Here is a trick to levelling and creating a hanger for your chimes...tie loops of fishing line where each beaded string hangs down then run a length of line up from each knot, take those pieces and wind them around another ring ( in this case we used another silver bangle) play with the lines and adjust till the main ring is level then tie off the lines at the top loop. All done and ready to hang.

If you save a coffee or hot chocolate tin with a plastic lid you can make an easy and cute shaker toy. It can be as simple as fun fur and googly eyes. Just put some dried beans or pasta or anything else you like the sound of in the tin before you cover it in your fabric of choice.

Amber used satin and feathers and felt to make her cute owl sculpture. I don't do fun foam but I DO have lots of googly eyes, yes, they are plastic and cheesy but they are so much fun.

My Liam isn't quite a tween but he's an easy going guy so I always let him come down and play. He used fleece and felted wool to make his penguin...which wasn't quite done in this photo.

Kendall used fleece as well and some pipe cleaners and other basic craft items to make her unicorn shaker. Basic things, like challenging them to see things differently are my biggest struggle. I was so proud of Kendall for using her can on it's side rather than straight up and down...a silly little thing but a big step in the right direction.

Ms. Alicia is our social butterfly and her bunny is still sitting not quite done on my table but she's got a great knack for art when I get her working. I didn't manage to snap any images of the other kids final works in the chaos of clean up but their pieces were adorable too.

Teaching teens is a whole different thing than my younger groups who hang off my every word and mostly work in a quiet and focused way....well, at least for 15-30 minute intervals, we have lots of quick trampoline breaks to conquer the sillies! All my students are wonderful though, and I am continually inspired by them; and honored to have a wee little place in their development.

I am looking at offering some three day art camps in the summer. A photography one for tweens and teens and also a drawing and painting outdoors one for all ages. Drop me a line if you have a kiddo interested and I can send you the dates. Both will involve some hiking and lots of time in the forest and outdoors. I also have some adults keen on a very basic photography lesson or two, once I get a few I can run a class.

November 21, 2011

I've been using it for years for all kinds of projects. Just recently when I was hosting a ladies Make & Take night I realized I was almost out and didn't have enough for the decoupage craft I planned for them. I did some googling and found a recipe to make my own and it was easy peasy and so much cheaper than the store bought container. We used it and it dried well, I made more recently for a lantern project at Ry's school too.

Sharing the instructions just in time for Christmas crafting...

you need an empty jar and a bottle of Elmers glue (you are going to laugh at how easy this is!)

empty the bottle of glue into the jar and add an equal amount of water

then shake, shake, shake it!

then of course you need to make it a little pretty...a simple label and some decorative paper work well,

There you go a big bottle of modge podge for less than half the price of store bought at Walmart (that's the cheapest place I've ever found it).

A couple tips...wipe the jar lid well when you are done as I haven't in the past and it glues on and is quite a chore to open. Also when making lanterns don't use Modge Podge for the base...do all your initial layers with paper mache and then just seal with the modge podge...these ones were unfortunately a write off as the sealer stuck so well to the balloon that it all collapsed when we popped them and didn't punch out that well afterwards.

Way back in 2008 I shared one of my first decoupage Make & Takes on Snicks here...

Plates are probably the easiest project to start with but Christmas ornaments are simple too...the possibilities are endless. You will find other ideas under my Make & Take and Art Projects categories or go to the Modge Podge Rocks Blog page to be overwhelmed with Podgy possibilities!

October 04, 2011

The week started off so well with the Snickerdoodles Soiree, hosting a big crowd at home was a tad more hectic than I would have liked since my oldest wasn't feeling well enough to babysit as planned. I didn't snap a single picture and I forgot to do the draw before the evening was over and I don't know what I was thinking. Next time I need make a reminder note for myself as I tend to get overwhelmed and forget rather important items as such.

The most important thing though was we had a great turnout and we raised money for a good cause. Once we get the final totals in I will let you know, orders for Arbonne and Stella & Dot continue to trickle in so I am keeping the gates open till Thursday.

Here are some other things making me smile this week...

The last of the summer tomatoes...I've salsa'ed them, roasted them, and canned them to try and preserve a little reminder of the warmth and flavours of August. I have one little bowl of cherry tomatoes and some gorgeous big tomatoes to slice with meals from Joy's garden to tuck away and that will be it.

The Talking Ben app on Noah's i-touch. It is free, so cute and hilariously funny to boys. Seriously, they were huddled recording silly voices and giggling away for over an hour. And then there is the Talking Do-Do Bird and that makes them do huge belly laughs..

I tried a Red Leaf Vintage Film Action on this photograph just for fun. Not my fave for people but I like the effect in general.

Last but not least I am super smiley and proud of this modest for most...but huge for me, sewing accomplishment...

The first square of my Nine Square crazy quilt I am making for Ryan. It's going to be mens wear inspired since most of the fabrics come from hubbie's rejected dress shirts that I have chopped up. The only consistent pattern in the quilt will be the middle denim patch in each square. I am going to have to sew a lot of these 15x15 panels before I have enough to assemble and cover his bed....hoping I can stay motivated as so far it's been rather slow going and dare I say tedious! I am definitely not gifted when it comes to sewing and this will no doubt be a labour of love and learning experience. Lucky for me I have a slew of talented quilters living in my neighbourhood who are cheering me on and are being so supportive.

Anyone have an amazing Pear Jam recipe out there?

Pears are probably one of the last things I'll preserve this fall, besides apples, and we need jam as well as canned pears this year.